The ABC understands that several candidates have been interviewed for the position in the past month.

It follows delays by Mr Dutton in appointing members to the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel (ADRVP), which assesses ASADA's evidence.

That led to ASADA's high-profile case against former Essendon Football Club sports scientist Stephen Dank being held up.

Some in the industry are concerned the Federal Government has plans for wider changes at ASADA.

The anti-doping agency has been criticised for the slow progress of its investigations into drug use in the AFL and NRL.

More than a year ago, the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and ASADA announced an investigation had uncovered the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs, match-fixing and links to organised crime at the highest levels of professional sport.

It was dubbed "the blackest day in Australian sport" by former ASADA head Richard Ings.

But the anti-doping watchdog is yet to finalise its investigations, centred around the AFL and NRL clubs Essendon and Cronulla, with players and club officials still uncertain whether they will be pursued over the allegations.